South Central Reporter

FOIA Request to City of Trenton regarding a list of city employees on August 21, 2025.

The South Central Reporter, a media organization focused on local governmental affairs, has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the City of Trenton, Illinois. The request was sent on August 21, 2025, and seeks a comprehensive list of all city employees. The requested information includes each employee's full name, sex, race, job title, department or division, annual salary or hourly rate if applicable, and hire/start date.

The request is made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), which allows for public access to government records in the interest of transparency and accountability. The South Central Reporter emphasizes the importance of this data in fulfilling its role as a media entity committed to holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

In addition to requesting this information in electronic format for ease of access and analysis, the South Central Reporter has also sought a fee waiver. This waiver is requested based on their status as a media professional involved in disseminating news to the public.

The requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies using FOIA and Sunshine Laws. This coalition aims to increase transparency by uncovering government actions that may impact the American electorate. More details about their mission can be found at https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.

We look forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in our reporting efforts. As always, we remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.